Chicago Whitewater Association & Kayak Club

Yorkville Whitewater Park

Latest News about the Park

The WW Park is unofficially available to paddlers BUT there are some restrictions! Please follow a few simple rules about how to get to the park, where to park, and where NOT to go until it officially opens soon.

  • Course status: The water portion is open, but the river left shore is still a construction zone and remains off-limits. So, you can paddle on the river and in the chute, and you can landfall on the island, but stay out of the construction zone.
  • Directions: get to Rt. 47 and head south to Yorkville turn left on the first street after crossing the river (Hydraulic St)
  • Parking: There is a public parking area on the left on Hydraulic St. and park (just past Freeman's Sports).
  • Access: Until the constructon barricades are removed in December 2010, you can put in there and paddle up to the chute. Use the island to get upstream of the dam.

Photos can be see of the construction process on our yahoo group photo gallery

A video was made to show the testing of the park youtube test video

Level and Feature Info

Entrace Rapid

800 CFS - wave ok for spins, but won't hold well.

2nd Rapid (upper challenge drop)

800 CFS - great for 360's and general surfing. Possible loop location.

3rd Rapid (the midway drop over the old dam)

800 CFS - small surf wave

General current

Througout the course, it seems that through water tends to be very quick, but narrow. The eddy currents also tend to be fairly quick. This results in very defined eddy lines, with lots of little whirlpools forming, although there are some boils here and there just to catch the unwary. Get careless crossing an eddy line and you'll get your head wet.

The bottom, especially, is great for for beginners practicing getting in and out of micro-eddies. You can eddy-hop all the way down. The middle and upper middle have huge eddies and are reminiscent of middle Wausau, although not nearly as challenging.

Area Food and Drink

In the hopes of helping boost the economy in the area around the park we also have member suggestions of places to go after all the fun:

  • http://www.kendallpub.com/